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A lady with a love for literature and shiny things discusses books & bling.

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Antique diamond starburst tiara.

I found this diamond starburst tiara when I was writing my sister’s birthday post, but I saved it for another day because, well, I want it for myself.

Antique diamond starburst tiara, circa 1890. The starbursts detach and may be worn separately as brooches. Via Diamonds in the Library. I’m not even sure what appeals to me so much – the simplicity, the originality, a latent desire to be orbited by stars? I just love it.

This tiara was made in 1890 and is designed as designed as three graduated diamond starbursts of old mine-cut diamonds set atop a line of small old mine-cut diamonds. I wonder what it would look like actually on a head. Hopefully as wonderful as I’m imagining it would.

Starburst elements from an antique diamond tiara, circa 1890. The starbursts detach and may be worn separately as brooches. Via Diamonds in the Library.The diamond starbursts detach and may be worn separately as brooches. I would wear them in my hair when I attended non-tiara occasions. Not that such a thing exists.

This antique diamond starburst tiara was listed in Bonhams’ June 2011 Fine Jewelry sale. All images and info are thanks to Bonhams.

An antique diamond starburst tiara, circa 1890. The starbursts detach and may be worn separately as brooches. Via Diamonds in the Library. A beautiful antique diamond starburst tiara, circa 1890. The starbursts detach and may be worn separately as brooches. Via Diamonds in the Library.

 

Abstract Art Deco tiara by Boucheron.

I think it’s time for an Art Deco tiara.

Alternate view; Art Deco tiara by Boucheron, circa 1937. Designed as a series of interlocking geometric arches, set with circular-, single-cut and baguette diamonds, in platinum.
I’m particularly partial to this geometric beauty, an Art Deco tiara by Boucheron. How interesting are those shapes, with the series of arches adorned by circles and tiny rectangles?

Antique Art Deco tiara by Boucheron, circa 1937. Designed as a series of interlocking geometric arches, set with circular-, single-cut and baguette diamonds, in platinum.
This piece is later Art Deco, from 1937. As I mentioned, it’s designed as a series of interlocking geometric arches, set with circular-, single-cut and baguette diamonds, all mounted in platinum. It is signed “Monture Boucheron” and comes with the original fitted case marked Boucheron, Paris. 26 Place Vendôme.

My favorite element is the circular and baguette cut diamonds adorning the tops of the arches – such an attractive, original touch. What do you think of this piece? Does this float your boat, or do you prefer a more traditional tiara?

This Art Deco tiara was listed in Sotheby’s November 2009 Magnificent Jewels sale. All images and info in this post are thanks to Sotheby’s.

A celebration of tiaras.

Today is my little sister’s birthday. Happy birthday, sister!

I asked her what jewelry she wanted to oogle on her day and she requested tiaras. Tiaras she shall have!

This is also my 300th post (!!!), which makes it extra special.

An antique diamond and pearl tiara, circa 1900.This classic diamond and pearl tiara screams fairy tale princess – or, rather, it calmly but firmly announces fairy tale princess. This tiara would never scream. Made in 1900, it’s designed as a series of graduated open work garlands of floral and foliate motifs, featuring seven natural saltwater pearls. The floral and foliate elements are  millegrain-set with rose, cushion-shaped and circular-cut diamonds. The tiara is accompanied by three screwdrivers, a uniform line of collet-set circular-cut diamonds with screw fittings length, and a pendant fitting.  These may be used to transform it into a diadem, a smaller tiara or a pendant on a fine chain.

A convertible emerald and diamond tiara, with emerald drops that detach and can be worn as a brooch and earrings.This emerald and diamond tiara would look incredible tucked into a crown of dark hair – can you imagine how the emeralds would pop? This beautiful piece is designed in graduated scrolls highlighted with three sprays set with cabochon emerald drops and with rose, French-, single- and circular-cut diamonds. The emeralds detach and can be worn as earrings and a brooch, so really it’s a 4-in-1.

An antique chased gold and diamond tiara with rose and table cut diamonds. From the early 19th century.This delicate gold beauty is the oldest of the tiaras in this post; it dates back to the early 19th century. It’s comprised of a chased gold frame supporting a row of pinched collet-set table-cut and rose diamonds, to a surmount with floral and foliate gold work, capped with similarly cut stones. I think it’s perfectly lovely.
 A dainty pearl and diamond tiara designed as a series of scroll and stylized foliate motifs, set with pearls, circular-cut and rose diamonds. It can also be worn as a necklace.This delicate tiara is ideal for when you don’t want your head wear to steal all the focus – although it’s so pretty that it might steal thunder anyway. It’s designed as a series of scroll and stylized foliate motifs, set at intervals with pearls of various sizes, circular-cut and rose diamonds. It may also be worn as a necklace.
An antique turquoise cabochon and diamond tiara, circa 1880’s.
I think this turquoise and diamond tiara looks pretty contemporary, considering it’s from the 1880’s. This tiara is made in an interwoven foliate and ribbon design and is set with circular-cut and rose diamonds, adorned at intervals with five clusters of cabochon turquoise within borders of cushion-shaped and circular-cut diamonds.
A gold, sapphire, and diamond tiara from the early 1900’s. This piece is designed as a series of thirteen graduated stylized ribbon and scroll elements.
This tiara is almost too detailed to photograph well. It dates to the early 1900s is designed as a series of thirteen graduated stylized ribbon and scroll elements. The ribbons and scrolls are set with circular-, single-cut, cushion-shaped and oval diamonds and each highlighted in the center with an oval sapphire.

Edwardian tiara, circa 1910. With 6.50 carats of white single-cut and rose-cut diamonds and 3.25 carats colored old-cut diamonds, in gold and platinum.

This Edwardian beauty was made in 1910 and features a gently scrolling design with foliate elements. It features  6.50 carats of old European-cut, single-cut and rose-cut diamonds, accentuated by 3.25 carats of colored old European-cut and old mine colored diamonds, mounted in gold and platinum.

What do you think of these tiaras? Which would you pick?

All images and info in this post are thanks to Sotheby’s. Please see the links in the individual descriptions above for original listings of the tiaras.

Antique diamond and pearl tiara, circa 1900.An antique Edwardian tiara, circa 1910. With 6.50 carats of white single-cut and rose-cut diamonds and 3.25 carats colored old-cut diamonds, in gold and platinum. Convertible emerald and diamond tiara, with emerald drops that detach and can be worn as a brooch and earrings.A beautiful antique turquoise cabochon and diamond tiara, circa 1880’s.An antique chased gold and diamond tiara with rose and table cut diamonds; three levels of detail. From the early 19th century.A dainty pearl and diamond tiara designed as a series of scroll and stylized foliate motifs, set with pearls and circular-cut and rose diamonds. It may also be worn as a necklace.An antique gold, sapphire, and diamond tiara from the early 1900’s. This piece is designed as a series of thirteen graduated stylized ribbon and scroll elements.Three antique and vintage diamond tiaras; one with pearls, one with emeralds, and one with colored diamonds. Three antique diamond tiaras; one with pearls, one with turquoise, and one in yellow gold.

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